1. Offensive Line
The Chicago Bears need to make sure that they are protecting Justin Fields.
Poles signed Lucas Patrick away from the Green Bay Packers to be the Chicago Bears starting center. Poles signed restricted free agent Ryan Bates to an offer sheet but the Buffalo Bills matched the offer.
That leaves the Chicago Bears still in need of a starting guard after Daniels left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other than those two moves, Poles has not done much to address the offensive line. He has signed Dakota Dozier and Julien Davenport. Those two project to be nothing more than backups.
The offensive line is the Chicago Bears’ weakest position group. Poles has acknowledged that rebuilding the offensive line to better protect Fields must be a major focus this offseason.
Ryan Poles just noted the biggest key to a success offense is the offensive line. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) January 31, 2022
There are plenty of talented offensive linemen in this year’s draft that the Bears should be able to come away with a starter.
https://twitter.com/jimnagy_sb/status/1517851789877522434?s=21&t=SvBmpPnnI5t_KzsU9LUOPA
Tulsa guard Tyler Smith’s name has popped up as being someone the Chicago Bears could draft to be one of the team’s starting guards.
My 2nd of 2 2nd round picks for the #Bears in @DaWindyCityFS mock:
— Patrick Schmidt (@PatrickASchmidt) April 22, 2022
TYLER SMITH, OL, Tulsa
One of the best run blockers in the draft. Nasty, violent and powerful. Just what Ryan Poles wants. Think he's a guard initially with the potential to move to RT with improved technique. pic.twitter.com/cMJLSRPAuh
There is a chance Boston College’s guard Zion Johnson could fall to pick 39. There are also rumors that Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum could fall to the second round. If he is available at 39, the Bears could take him and move Patrick to guard.
Despite the lack of free-agent signings, the Chicago Bears can still add quality talent in the draft.
Also, Erik Fisher is still available in free agency. Poles is familiar with him from their days together in Kansas City. Poles is probably waiting for the price to come down on some of the free-agent tackles ahead of training camp.
The Bears did have last year’s rookies Larry Borom at left tackle and Teven Jenkins at right tackle during the team’s minicamp. Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has not committed to that being the first game starting combination.
#Bears had Larry Borom at left tackle today and Teven Jenkins at right tackle. Matt Eberflus makes it clear that's a fluid situation and they are going to use different combinations.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 19, 2022
Expect Poles to use his draft capital to solve the offensive line and then add some undrafted free agents for competition at camp. It would not be surprising to see a veteran signed ahead of training camp for the right price.